Theater patron says she was attacked

Published: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.

SARASOTA - A 39-year-old woman says she was choked by another theatergoer -- a complete stranger -- Tuesday night following a performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Facts

VAN WEZEL:

Attempt to check phone discreetly prompts alleged choking

Olga Alan, a native of Moscow, believes the 65-year-old man who she says attacked her "didn't like Russians."

Midway through the performance, Alan said she noticed she had missed a call on her cellphone. Keeping the phone in her purse and near the floor, Alan said she checked the phone to see who had called.

Alan said the man, later identified by Sarasota Police as John F. Wall, of Flagstaff Way, hissed at her to "stop doing it right now." At one point, she said he ordered her to leave the theater.

"He told me to get out," she said.

At the end of the show, as soon as the house lights came on, Alan said the man leapt from his seat and started screaming in her face about the cellphone.

"I told him to stop talking to me like this," she said.

Wall, who according to a police report is is 6 feet tall and 230 pounds, grabbed Alan by the throat and pushed her down into her chair, while a woman screamed for him to stop. Several other patrons witnessed the attack, police said.

Alan said Wall broke her necklace and bruised the back of her neck.

Wall and his companion left the theater, but officials from the Van Wezel established his identity based on where he had been sitting.

Sarasota Police took a battery report from Alan, in which Wall is listed as the only suspect.

Wall did not return calls seeking comment.

Through a security guard stationed outside his gated community, Wall today declined to talk about the incident.

"There were other people that saw he got upset," Van Wezel spokesman Tony Becich said. "Whatever happens now is between her and the Sarasota Police Department."

Becich has never heard of an attack inside the hall.

Alan said she still plans to attend ballets.

"I was trying to stand up for myself, but next time I'll just run away," she said. "I don't want to be choked."

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - A 39-year-old woman says she was choked by another theatergoer -- a complete stranger -- Tuesday night following a performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.</p><p>Olga Alan, a native of Moscow, believes the 65-year-old man who she says attacked her "didn't like Russians."</p><p>Midway through the performance, Alan said she noticed she had missed a call on her cellphone. Keeping the phone in her purse and near the floor, Alan said she checked the phone to see who had called.</p><p>Alan said the man, later identified by Sarasota Police as John F. Wall, of Flagstaff Way, hissed at her to "stop doing it right now." At one point, she said he ordered her to leave the theater.</p><p>"He told me to get out," she said.</p><p>At the end of the show, as soon as the house lights came on, Alan said the man leapt from his seat and started screaming in her face about the cellphone.</p><p>"I told him to stop talking to me like this," she said.</p><p>Wall, who according to a police report is is 6 feet tall and 230 pounds, grabbed Alan by the throat and pushed her down into her chair, while a woman screamed for him to stop. Several other patrons witnessed the attack, police said.</p><p>Alan said Wall broke her necklace and bruised the back of her neck.</p><p>Wall and his companion left the theater, but officials from the Van Wezel established his identity based on where he had been sitting.</p><p>Sarasota Police took a battery report from Alan, in which Wall is listed as the only suspect.</p><p>Wall did not return calls seeking comment.</p><p>Through a security guard stationed outside his gated community, Wall today declined to talk about the incident.</p><p>"There were other people that saw he got upset," Van Wezel spokesman Tony Becich said. "Whatever happens now is between her and the Sarasota Police Department."</p><p>Becich has never heard of an attack inside the hall.</p><p>Alan said she still plans to attend ballets.</p><p>"I was trying to stand up for myself, but next time I'll just run away," she said. "I don't want to be choked."</p>